What is it about?
This chapter explains how functional annotation uses bioinformatics tools to identify microbial genes, proteins, and metabolic pathways from metagenomic sequencing data. It demonstrates how tools such as SortMeRNA, HUMAnN2, and MetaPhlAn2 help reveal the functional roles of microbial communities and their potential contributions to diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.
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Why is it important?
Functional annotation transforms metagenomic sequencing data into biological insights by revealing the functions of microbial genes and pathways. This knowledge helps researchers understand how microorganisms influence health, disease, and the environment, supports biomarker discovery, identifies potential therapeutic targets, and advances microbiome research, precision medicine, biotechnology, and environmental science.
Perspectives
Future advances in artificial intelligence, deep learning, long-read sequencing, and multi-omics integration will improve the accuracy and scalability of functional annotation. These innovations will enable more comprehensive characterization of microbial functions, accelerate biomarker discovery, and support precision medicine, environmental sustainability, and the development of novel microbial-based therapeutics.
Ankit Singh Negi
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Functional Annotation in Metagenomics, April 2026, Bentham Science Publishers,
DOI: 10.2174/9798898814502126010010.
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